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Products
Samsung HW-Q990C
Samsung HW-Q990D
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jul 15, 2024 04:31 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jul 30, 2025 04:06 PM
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Channels11.1.4
Channels11.1.4
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q990C
Samsung HW-Q990D
The Samsung HW-Q990D is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q990C. While both bars largely look the same, one notable change is the addition of HDMI 2.1. The Q990D can passthrough 4k signals at 120Hz, which is great if you're gaming from a next-gen console. It also supports Private Listening, a feature that sends audio only to the satellite speakers, which helps minimize disturbing others, and Sound Grouping, allowing the satellites to play left and right channel content for a more stereo sound. The Q990C may still be worthwhile if you don't need HDMI 2.1. Since it's older, you may be able to find it discounted, making its cost-to-performance ratio a bit more digestible.
Variants
- HW-Q990C (Black)
- HW-Q990D (Black)
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Black
HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990D
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990D
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990D
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HW-Q990D
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Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.5
8.6
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
48.5" (123.2 cm)
48.5" (123.2 cm)
Height
2.8" (7.0 cm)
2.7" (6.9 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.9" (22.6 cm)
8.8" (22.4 cm)
Height
16.2" (41.2 cm)
16.1" (40.9 cm)
Depth
16.1" (41.0 cm)
16.1" (40.9 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
5.1" (13.0 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Height
7.9" (20.0 cm)
7.8" (19.9 cm)
Depth
5.5" (14.0 cm)
5.6" (14.1 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
8.5
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
11.1.4
11.1.4
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.01
-0.32
Standard Error
2.38 dB
2.32 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.7 Hz
27.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
8.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
0
0
Slope
-0.01
-0.28
Standard Error
2.38 dB
2.37 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.7 Hz
27.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
9.1
9.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
99.9 dB SPL
99.4 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.46 dB
0.32 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.84 dB
0.81 dB
Center
8.7
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.33
-0.22
Std. Err.
2.31 dB
2.24 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.6 dB SPL
96.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
0.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.70
1.99
Surround 5.1
8.2
8.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.34
-0.16
Std. Err.
3.16 dB
2.83 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.8 dB SPL
93.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.60
0.56
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.82
3.00
7.1 Rears
Yes
Yes
Height (Atmos)
6.7
6.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-0.11
-0.23
Std. Err.
4.11 dB
3.76 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.9 dB SPL
91.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.61
0.53
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.61
1.46
Sound Enhancement Features
9.5
9.5
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Yes
Full HDMI In
2
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.6
9.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
37 ms
34 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
37 ms
40 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
69 ms
58 ms
Dolby Digital
90 ms
79 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
94 ms
86 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
96 ms
90 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.8
9.4
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
41 ms
34 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
40 ms
35 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
73 ms
63 ms
Dolby Digital
104 ms
97 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
99 ms
89 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
99 ms
95 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
8.0
9.1
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
103 ms
97 ms
Dolby Digital
303 ms
156 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
8.5
10
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
60Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
Yes
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
Yes
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
Yes
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
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Black
HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990D
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990D
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
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B&HBlack
HW-Q990D
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990D
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Samsung HW-Q990C
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Comments
Samsung HW-Q990C vs Samsung HW-Q990D: Main Discussion
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Hi there,
At the time of testing and on our test unit, there was no mention from the tester of dithering in the internal note or public review. We look at the pixel layout and patterns that should highlight dithering. This did not seem to be a noticeable issue on our 65" unit. I can understand where you are coming from and have seen noticeable dithering on other TVs before, it can be distracting, and it does stand out.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, it seems like it could be a size variant issue (unfortunately we cannot confirm since we only have the 65" model).
Thanks for responding. I think you’re correct in that it’s probably a size variant specific issue. I should note that it’s not noticeable at viewing distance.
Do you see dithering in PC Mode 4k@60Hz with Chroma 4:4:4?
Haven’t tried it. It’s our bedroom tv so I’d have to pull it back down off the wall to plug in a source capable of that signal. If I do, I’ll let you know.